News and Events in the Harrogate District

Video: Collection of 70 dolls’ houses gifted to Newby Hall

One of the world’s finest collection of dolls’ houses has been gifted to Newby Hall, near Ripon, by two private collectors and miniaturists.

World-renowned miniaturist Caroline Hamilton and her life-long friend and collaborator Jane Fiddick have amassed a collection of more than 70 houses.

After the collection became so large that Caroline and Jane could no longer house it themselves they approached Newby Hall to display their collection.

From the end of June, the collection will now be on public display for the first time at Newby Hall.

The historically accurate, exquisite miniature houses will be on permanent display at Newby Hall in former potting sheds which have been specially converted for the purpose using a Heritage Lottery Grant. The exhibition will be used to try and attract visitors who don’t normally visit heritage attractions

There is even an Adam house which features a replica of the tapestry room at Newby and a display of special treasures – 26 pieces hand-picked by Caroline and Jane to demonstrate the miniaturist’s skills.

Caroline and Jane are helping to install the collection.

The houses and the characters living in them all come with full back stories and histories. The exhibition will eventually be accompanied by a detailed commentary narrated by Caroline and Jane.

Newby Hall is one of Britain’s finest Adam Houses – built in the 1690s by Sir Christopher Wren, it was later enlarged and adapted by John Carr and subsequently Robert Adam.

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